The wait is over. Apple's wireless headphones called AirPods are finally out in the market almost two months after the original date for their release. The AirPods are already available online on Apple.com since last Tuesday, and will be in Apple stores and authorized resellers next week.
Apple was originally slated to release the AirPods in late October but failed to do so for unknown reasons, MacRumors reports. That has stirred weeks of speculations about the exact release date.
In a statement, Apple said the AirPods promise to change the way people listen to music, make calls, watch movies, and do other activities using their Apple devices. The company said the AirPods have great audio quality and batteries that do not run out of power fast.
After opening the charging case near an iPhone and tapping the AirPods, the wireless earphones will set up instantly with all devices signed in to a user's iCloud account. The devices can automatically play and stop music, using advanced sensors to know when the AirPods are in a person's ear.
A W1 chip allows the AirPods to connect to Apple devices seamlessly when its battery case is opened near any iOS device. Tapping the AirPods twice will activate Siri for easier access to a user's favorite music and other features.
The Bluetooth-powered earphones have up to five hours of listening time on just one charge, Apple said. But the carrying case for the AirPods, which turns into a charger, can provide up to a whole day of battery life.
An AirPods package costs $159 and includes a lightning cable for charging its case. For the AirPods to work, an Apple user needs to have his or her devices running on iOS 10, watchOS 3, or macOS Sierra.
Shipments of the AirPods will initially be in "limited quantities and the first deliveries are expected to arrive in the US on December 21. Apple encourages customers to keep checking its online store for updates on AirPods' availability and shipping time estimates.
